Pac-12 Title-Game Thread: Oregon Beats USC 31-24

Even though it did not finish first in its division, Oregon won its second straight Pac-12 title by beating USC 31-24 in the conference championship game Friday night at USC.

The No. 13 Trojans (5-1) failed in their bid for a fourth late-game comeback win when Kedon Slovis was knocked down while trying to heave a Hail Mary pass from the Oregon 49-yard line. His short toss was caught by an offensive lineman and the game ended.

Oregon (4-2) finished second in the Pac-12 North behind once-beaten Washington, but the Ducks found out Monday it would play in the title game after Washington advised the conference that it could not play Friday because of virus-related issues.

Slovis threw two interceptions in the first seven minutes of the game, and finished with three picks while going 28-for-52 for 320 yards, two touchdowns and the three interceptions. His final interception came with 2:47 left and the Trojans trailing by seven. His pass was picked off by Jamal Hill at the Oregon 31-yard line. The play was initially called incomplete, but it was overturned on review when it ws noted that Hill got one foot down inounds after making the snag. It was Hill's second pick of the game.

Oregon defensive end Kaydon Thibodeaux was named the game MVP after he harrassed Slovis all game, recording a sack, two tackles for loss and one knocked down pass.

Oregon quarterback Tyler Shough threw two touchdown passes and an interception, and his backup, Anthony Brown, threw two touchdown passes.

Pregame: USC entered the game as the only unbeaten Pac-12 team and carrying a No. 13 College Football Playoff ranking. There seems to be no scenario that would get USC into the four-team national-championship playoff, however.

On Thursday, Oregon announced a contract extension for head coach Mario Cristobal that will run through the 2025 season. Cristobal had been rumored to be a candidate for the Auburn job.

No fans were in the stands for the title game.

Oregon running back CJ Verdell was not available for the game, though no reason was given.

Records before start of the game: Oregon (3-2) vs. USC (5-0)

SECOND HALF

Oregon holds 21-14 halftime lead

Third quarter

7:20 third quarter: Oregon backup quarterback Anthony Brown throws a 4-yard touchdown pass to Travis Dye. The 83-yard scoring drive included an 11-yard completion by Brown on a fourth-and-inches play midway through the possession, and a 23-yard Tyler Shough completion to Johnny Johnson III. Oregon 28, USC 14

2:28 third quarter: USC's Parker Lewis makes a 21-yard field goal and the end of a 76-yard drive. Oregon 28, USC 17.

2:26 third quarter: USC's Bru McCoy recovers onside kick at Trojans' 48-yard line, but USC does not score out it. Oregon 28, USC 17

2:22 third quarter: USC's Amon-Ra St. Brown leaves game with apparent arm injury and does not return.

End third quarter: Oregon 28, USC 17. Oregon's Tyler Shough 8-for-14, 91 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception. Oregon's Anthony Brown 3-for-4, 17 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions. USC's Kedon Slovis 19-for-35, 212 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions.

Fourth quarter

10:26 fourth quarter: Oregon's Henry Katleman kicks a 40-yard field goal to finish a drive that was aided by a roughing-the-kicker penalty on USC's Talanoa Hufanga on a fourth-down play from the Oregon 39. Oregon 31, USC 17

6:16 fourth quarter: Kedon Slovis throws a 4-yard touchdown pass to Bru McCoy on a fourth-and-goal play. Key play was Slovis' 28-yard completion to Bru McCoy on fourth-and-8 from Oregon 48. Oregon 31, USC 24

4:43 fourth quarter: USC regains possession at its 36-yard line after a three-and-out by Oregon.

2:47 fourth quarter: Oregon's Jamal Hill intercepts a Kedon Slovis pass at the Oregon 31-yard line. It was originally ruled incomplete but the call was overturned on review, noting that Hill got one foot down inbounds.

:23 fourth quarter: USC regains possession at its 20-yard line, following a punt and a USC holding penalty

Final score: Oregon 31, USC 24

FIRST HALF

First quarter

13:49 first quarter: Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown, on his first play as a Ducks player, throws a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jaylon Redd for the first score of the game. The score was set up when Oregon's Deommodore intercepted Kedon Slovis' third pass attempt at the USC 43-yard line, and, with the help of a face-mask penalty on the 24-yard return, it gave the Ducks the ball at the USC 9-yard line. After Tyler Shough was the quarterback on Oregon's first two plays, he was replaced by Brown on third down, and he produced the touchdown. Oregon 7, USC 0

12:42 first quarter: Slovis goes 0-for-4 with an interception and a sack on USC's first two possessions. After two possessions the Trojans have zero total yards. Oregon 7, USC 0.

10:45 first quarter: After two possessions, Oregon has 4 total yards. Oregon 7, USC 0.

8:39 first quarter: Kedon Slovis throws his second interception of the game, as Jamal Hill gets the pick at the USC 32-yard line. Oregon 7, USC 0

7:14 first quarter: Oregon QB Tyler Slough throws a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Kampmoyer. That ended a 32-yard drive that started with Hill's interception. Oregon 14, USC 0

4:20 first quarter: USC's Markese Stepp stopped for a 2-yard loss on a fourth-and-inches play from the Oregon 46-yard line. Kayvon Thibodeaux made the stop. Oregon 14, USC 0

:50 first quarter: USC's Kedon Slovis throws a 47-yard touchdown pass to wide-open Amon-Ra St. Brown. Oregon 14, USC 7

End first quarter: Oregon 14, USC 7. Oregon 62 total yards; USC 135 total yards. Tyler Shough 2-for-6, 16 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions. Kedon Slovis 7-for-13, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions.

Second quarter

9:45 second quarter: Oregon's Tyler Shough throws a 16-yard touchdown pass to DJ Johnson to complete a 41-yard scoring drive. Oregon 21, USC 7

4:35 second quarter: USC's Markese Stepp scores a touchdown from the half-yard line on a run to finish off an 80-yard drive. Slovis completed seven passes on the 13-play drive. Oregon 21, USC 14

:35 second quarter: USC's Kana'i Mauga intercepts a Tyler Shough pass at the Oregon 40-yard line and returns it to the USC 26.

:02 second quarter: USC's Parker Lewis misses 41-yard field goal attempt. Oregon 21, USC 14..

Halftime: Oregon 21, USC 14. Oregon 122 total yards, USC 203 total yards. Oregon's Tyler Shough 6-for-11, 53 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception. USC's Kedon Slovis 15-for-26, 178 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions.

Cover photo of USC quarterback Kedon Slovis by Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

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